The 2019-20 Rider University women's basketball season was one for the record books. Stella Johnson broke just about every program record imaginable, became Rider's first-ever All-American and with her individual success came team success. A program-record 26 wins, including 18 in league play led to the first MAAC Regular Season Championship in Rider Women's Basketball history. The Broncs marched on to the MAAC Semifinals and were poised to challenge for their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth when COVID-19 had other ideas.

Just like that, the Broncs' season was over and a new era thrust upon Rider Women's Basketball. Six rotation staples, including four starters, have moved on, including MAAC Player of the Year and NCAA Scoring Champion Stella Johnson, MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Amari Johnson, fellow All-MAAC Second Teamer Lea Favre, starter Aubre Johnson and key rotation pieces Lexi Stover and Tracey Goodman.

"Our program has expectations because we're the Rider Lady Broncs, not because of what somebody says we are or thinks we are," said Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan, a two-time MAAC and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Coach of the Year. "We've said it for the past two years that we were trying to build this roster, knowing that we were going to have the big turnover. Over two years ago, we were saying we're not going to be in rebuild mode; we want to be in a reload mode. I think we are. We might take some hits early because of youth and not playing. But when push comes to shove at the end of the year, this team is going to be right where they need to be."

With four starters graduating, the one returning starter back for the Broncs is 2020-21 Preseason All-MAAC Second Team honoree Amanda Mobley. Mobley led the team, averaging 5.0 assists per game and shooting 34.4 percent from long range, good for second and 12^th, respectively, in the MAAC last season. She was second on the team and seventh in the MAAC at 1.7 steals per game and posted a 1.54 assist-to-turnover ratio. She averaged 9.2 points in 31.9 minutes per game and scored in double figures 13 times.

"Amanda will be counted on to lead our team on and off the court," said Milligan. She has the confidence and experience to lead this team from the point guard spot. She learned a lot from the seniors last year and is ready. Amanda scored for us last year on a veteran team and we will need her to score more this season as well as put her teammates in successful positions."

Daija Moses was another key performer for the Broncs last season and returns as Rider's lone senior this season. She played in 29 games, including six starts, and posted a pair of double-figure scoring performances, including a career-high 13 points against Canisius on February 29. She also scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in a win at Georgetown on December 14 and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds at Saint Peter's on February 6.

"Daija has taken her game and leadership to another level," said Milligan. "She is the only senior on a young team who will be counted on for scoring and defense. She has added to her game and poised for a great senior season."

A pair of freshmen from last year's team in Maya Hyacienth and Victoria Toomey will look to make the jump to the starting line-up in 2020-21. Hyacienth played in 25 games last season, all off the bench. She scored a season-high six points on a pair of three-pointers on Dec. 18 against Wagner.

"Maya is one of our most improved players," said Milligan. "Her role was very specific last year but this year it will be much bigger. Maya has expanded her offensive game is ready for a great season."

Toomey saw action in 23 games off the bench last season and scored a season-high five points twice – at Penn State (November 10) and at Iona (January 4). She also grabbed a season-high four rebounds in a season-high 15 minutes at Penn State (November 10).

"Another player that benefited from last year's seniors," said Milligan. "She was able to learn so much from our post players and has taken a huge step. She will be counted on for post scoring and to anchor our defense."

Lenaejha Evans, a 5-foot-8 combo guard, joined the Broncs this year with two years of junior college experience and looks to secure a spot in the starting line-up. She first helped Kansas City Community College to the 2019 NJCAA Division II National Championship, before spending 2019-20 at Pensacola State College. She played her high school basketball at Conway (SC) High School, earning All-Zone, All-State and All-Region twice each, while also taking a pair of Toast of the Coast First Team honors. She was named one of the Top 40 JUCO Freshmen and earned Jayhawk Conference Honorable Mention in 2019, before being recognized with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Above the Rim Award in 2020.

"Lenaejha is a new player to the program but her playing experience and maturity make her a veteran," said Milligan. "She can score at all 3 levels. She is capable of being a dynamic scorer and defender for us."

Another upperclassman on this year's roster is junior forward Teresa Wolak, who's seen action in 16 games over the last two seasons.

"Teresa will add depth to our post group this year," said Milligan. She's worked hard to strengthen her game."

The returning cast also includes a pair of freshmen from a year ago – Lauren Saa and Sophia DeMauro. Saa played in three games last November before injury abbreviated her season, while DeMauro saw action in 11 games off the bench.

"Lauren may be our best shooter.  She has great size on the perimeter.  Has the potential to be a very big piece for us as she continues to get healthy," said Milligan. "Sophia learned a lot as a freshman is ready for a bigger role in the point guard spot. Her energy and toughness are things we count on as her game continues to grow."

In addition to Evans, the Broncs welcomed five more newcomers to this year's roster in junior college transfer Anna Ekerstedt and freshmen Sofie Bruintjes, Makayla Firebaugh, Molly Lynch and Raphaela Toussaint. A 6-foot-2 forward, Ekerstedt comes to Rider after a junior college year at Broward College in Davie, FL, and has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining. Prior to coming to the U.S., Ekerstedt played for the Swedish National Team. In her freshman year, her team came in second place at the Swedish Championships, before she was selected to play on the Swedish National U18 team in Summer 2016, leading her squad to the European Championship in the B-Division. She also played in the European U20 Championships in 2018 and 2019.

"Anna brings great length and depth to our post rotation," said Milligan. "She is very long and can run and stretch the floor. Her defense will be a big piece for us as well"

Bruintjes is a 6-foot-4 stretch post player who protects the rim and runs the floor. Identified as one of the Netherlands' top up-and-coming-players, Soof served as a member of the Dutch U16 National Team (2018), was a Dutch U18 National Team Finalist (2019) and played and studied at CTO Amsterdam, where she helped the Orange Lions win the Nationale Basketbal Bond Cup in 2019. Last season, Soof was selected to compete in the U19 European Girls Basketball League (EGBL), Europe's premier girls' basketball league. Originally from Zwolle, Holland, Soof lived and played in Amsterdam under the guidance of the Dutch Olympic Committee.

"Soof has great size and scoring ability," said Milligan. "She can really stretch the floor at her size. Her great international experience will be an asset to her and us."

Firebaugh is a 5-foot-10 combo guard who was a four-year standout at James Woods High School in Virginia. In 2019, she earned VHSL First Team All-State honors as well as VHSCA First Team 4A All-State distinction. She registered her 1,000th career point as a junior and she scored a program-record 40 points in a single game. She was also tabbed as the Winchester Star Player of the Year, the District Player of the Year and the Regional Co-Player of the Year.

"Makayla was an explosive scorer in high school and will be counted on to do the same," said Milligan. "She has a lot of ways she can score and can play all three guard spots."

Lynch is a 5-foot-9 combo guard who was a four-year contributor at Rutgers Prep. She earned First Team All-Conference honors as a junior and was tabbed as one of the top-50 juniors in the state of New Jersey as her team has won back-to-back Skyland Conference Championships. Lynch also played AAU for the New Jersey Panthers.

"Molly is an athletic, smart player who can play any of the guard spots as well," said Milligan. She has good range and can get to the rim."

Toussaint is a 6-foot small forward who can score and defend inside and out. As a member of one of Canada's premier basketball programs, Lincoln Prep of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA), Raphie continually competed at Canada's highest level. Even on the AAU circuit, Raphie was chosen to compete with Kia Nurse Elite, Canada's only Nike EYBL program. Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Raphie averaged a double-double in her final season at Lincoln Prep.

"Raph brings an athleticism and energy to the post spot," said Milligan. She has a great sense for the ball and will be counted on for energy, rebounds and scoring from the post spot."